George Steinbrenner kicked off a busy five-day stay in New York yesterday when he and Joe Torre filmed a VISA commercial following the Yankees’ 5-2 win over the Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

The Boss never emerged from his office during the game and afterward avoided the media by hanging out in the trainer’s room where he prepared for the commercial that was shot in the Yankees’ clubhouse. According to industry sources, it was worth $500,000 to Steinbrenner and $300,000 to Torre.

Count on whomever Steinbrenner has an issue with this season being in a VISA spot next year since Steinbrenner and Derek Jeter buried their differences during a VISA shoot. While The Boss wasn’t as critical of Torre last season as he had been of Jeter’s lifestyle the previous year, the owner and the manager were often not on the same page in 2003.

During the Yankees’ ninth win in 10 games, Steinbrenner remained in his office brainstorming how to add depth to the Yankees’ pitching rotation in the aftermath of the Jose Contreras meltdown Wednesday. The Yankees have been told by the Diamondbacks that Randy Johnson isn’t available.